Hey what's everyone? A couple days ago I posted that I am having a little (but noticeable) rough idle when stopped in neutral. Well, just to give you a little more info I have noticed to maybe get some more ideas on what it might be, (I haven't had a chance to work on it because it has been nonstop raining all day). I had mentioned timing, because I thought that maybe when I installed the pulley I turned the crank... I also was advised to check the AEM short ram, vaccuum hoses, and reset ECU (disconnect negative terminal for like 10 minutes). Well, since I haven't been able to get my hands dirty because of the weather, I noticed something else that might help you guys with what it might be. I have the OEM Sport Gauge Cluster (Vaccuum, Voltage, and Temp). Well I noticed that the idle dips and jumps with the voltage. I wasn't blasting the radio, or running a/c or anything else to draw power. What do you think it might be?

 

when the idle dips the voltage will as well since the alternators output is dependant on engine rpm. Up high it stays high easily even thru shifts... at idle the car is barely turning the alternator over so the slightest change in idle will cause the same change to be reflected in voltage.

The two are not related that i can see.

Also changing the timing requires actual movement of the timing belt... to change the crank pulley you don not remove the timing belt... you remove the accessory belt. Thus with that you didn't change timing.

Check the short ram and hoses... do a reset. Often when cars go to short ram or cold air intakes they experience some idle disturbance. No check engine light right? Should be fine. If the problem gets worse then i'd persue...

 

N.P.I

 

I will definitely try that. The weather has just been horrible though. I will get out there tomorrow and do that for sure. No warning lights are going off... You know I am sure it is something simple though. It is really not that noticeable, but to me I can tell you know what I mean? Just want to figure it out. The car runs great when it's moving, just an annoyance when I stop, and actually feel for the little roughness. Thanks for your help though.

 

I will keep you posted on the outcome tomorrow.

 

you can raise your idle a tad to see if that helps.

 

Put your idle at 7 grand, Sweet launchs without even trying

 

i think all lancer's idle is a little rough compaired to some cars. Mine has been rough since it was new... Do you feel just a slight shake in the cabin? If so that should be pretty normal

 

I have tried all the ideas that were mentioned. All vaccuum hoses were good. I did put a clamp on the one small one that is attached to the SRI. I have an AEM, and I noticed that the hose could be pulled on and off easily. I disconnected the negative terminal for 10 minutes, checked the oil, and just about anything else that I could find to look at or check. The idle roughness is there, but has seemed to so far have lightened up some. I did notice though, that when you have the hood up, and the motor is running, you can actually see the motor kind of bump with the idle. Like I said though, it is a very mild roughness, but I still am wondering what else it could possibly be, because I don't recall it idleing this way before. Let me know what you guys think.

 

I have the same issue when I put my car in neutral. I have since Ive had the car, but I deal with it. (When you had a turbocharged eclipse with stage 3 cams, you dont complain about the idle on a car with stock cams )

 

It's really not bad, just kind of annoying. I wouldn't worry about it at all if it wasn't so inconsistent. It is like bump...................bump..bump........bump..... . If that makes any sense. Just worried maybe a plug was bad or I did something when installing the pulley or something. People made the timing mark an issue, and since I failed to mark where the stock pulley lined up, I figured that could have possibly been it. Since it performed well while driving since the pulley, I thought is was fine until I noticed the little idle jumping.

 

Your crank pulley change would not affect your ignition timing. Not possible. I don't know what is causing your idle problem, but timing isn't it.

 

well, i am stumped that is for sure. I know it hasn't been there all along... I would have noticed it before now if it had. I am just hoping I can troubleshoot until I at least find the cause. It is too hard for me to overlook due to the fact that it isn't just like the rumble of an idle I used to have a trans am and I it isn't the same. It is real subtle, but the inconsistency is what is making me not just give up on it and say it is a normal trait of the RA. It's weird because I can feel the rumble but the tach doesn't move but my voltage does. I don't know.

 

How far is it dropping?

If your voltage is dropping significantly, get your charging system load tested. It could be your alternator is on its way out. Is the problem any worse when you're running the headlights, HVAC blower fan, etc?

Of course, it could also be that the idle was like that before, but the extra 3.5 lbs of rotating mass on the stock crank pulley smoothed it out so it wasn't noticeable.

EDIT: I don't suppose you'd be willing to put your stocker back on to see if it changes anything..?

 

i have contemplated that. I really should attempt that to see if there is a difference. The voltage is jumping maybe 1 to 1.5 and it's a little quick jump then go back jump then go back to normal. I am willing to try whatever to get it figured out.